18th Sep 2018

Queen Victoria Arts Club To Open In Cultural Quarter

An iconic building within the heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter has had new life breathed into it following a £650,000 restoration and
renovation project.

The Queen Victoria Arts Club is currently having its finishing touches before it opens its doors to diners in October.

Business Owner Cassie Soulsby, who has won multiple high profile awards with her other venues and restaurants, said she had wanted to convert the Grade 2 listed Victorian Baroque property
for some time, “Work started on converting the building and the flats above the restaurant 18 months ago, but the idea for the Queen Victoria Arts Club has been in the making for three years. The building itself had been derelict for many years, and was in much need of real attention, especially since the Curve Theatre opened and the whole area had started being redeveloped.“The building had been a complete eye-sore, and everyone had been campaigning for it to become something better, so it was important for me to help with that,” she added.

The site itself, which was built for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, has seen quite a dramatic transformation, having been derelict for many years, and Cassie and her team worked hard on the design of the restaurant
which is on the ground and lower floors, to help it stay in keeping with the style and décor of the period.

“One of the main things we wanted to do was add some light into the rooms, and so large arch windows were created, and this has made an incredible difference,” she added.

Guests to the restaurant will all be welcomed by a maître d and the food served will be of a modern European style. “Our emphasis will be on exceptional service and high-quality food. This is going to
be a really accessible restaurant. I have a background in working in Michelin star and rosette establishments, so it’s bringing all of that experience to the front of house service, while also making it more comfortable for diners,” added Cassie.

The main ground floor restaurant and bar area can accommodate 80 covers, while downstairs there is room for 50 alongside private meeting spaces and dining rooms whilst an exclusive members club is set to follow.